NCJ Number
140609
Date Published
1992
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The Tennessee Children's Plan was established to reduce the number of children in State care, provide more appropriate services for children who are in care, improve the management of children's services delivery systems, and maximize collection of Federal funds for eligible children. This report summarizes the progress made during the first full year of operation of the plan.
Abstract
As a result of the State's Family Preservation Programs (Home Ties), Tennessee experienced a decline in the number of children in State care for the second consecutive year. Other preventive programs to be initiated or improved include targeted case management, community intervention services, day treatment services, intensive reunification and after care programs, special incentives to promote community care, and initial development of Family Resource Centers. More appropriate and less expensive services have been provided for children who are in State care; fewer are placed in State institutions and psychiatric hospitals, with greater emphasis on placements in the child's own home, the home of a relative, foster homes, group homes, residential treatment programs, and wilderness programs. The management of children's services was significantly improved by restructuring the accounting system and implementing a computer system for each management team. Federal funding for fiscal year 1992-1993 will be double that of the previous year; funds made available through increased Federal funding will be reinvested in services for Tennessee's children and their families.